KHCA/KCAL Update 6/16/25

June 16, 2025

This message contains confidential information and is intended only for KHCA/KCAL membership. Dissemination, distribution or copying the contents of this email beyond this group is strictly prohibited.

The Latest News

Call for Letters of Interest for KHCA Open Board Positions

We are currently accepting applications for two open board positions:

District IV Vice President- Representing Smith, Jewell, Republic, Washington, Marshall, Osborne, Mitchell, Cloud, Clay, Riley, Pottawatomie, Lincoln, Ottawa, Dickinson, Geary, Ellsworth, Saline, Morris, Rice, McPherson, Marion and Chase County

Government Affairs Vice President – Focusing on legislation and regulations that would be favorable to the residents and providers of long-term health care.

If you are passionate about contributing to the Associations leadership and growth, we encourage you to apply.

To apply, you will need to submit:

Letter of interest
Letter of recommendation from a colleague
Resume

Your letter of interest should include:

Your Name and Contact Information
The Board Position You Are Applying For
Why You Are Interested in Serving on the Board
Your Vision and Goals for the Role

Please submit your letter to khca@khca.org by end of business day on July 7, 2025. Letters of interest will be reviewed by current KHCA board members and appointment will be made at the July 11^th board meeting.

Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar

As this series of updates emphasizing the importance of documentation related to the revised regulations that were implemented on April 28,2025, QAPI documentation requirements is included in the revised regulations. The primary change in the revisions now requires inclusion of “health equity” including racial diversity, socioeconomic challenges and linguistic challenges with suggestions for addressing challenges of gender identification. READ MORE

Members Only Nurse Advisory Committee (NAC) and Facility Standards Call - Friday, June 20, 2025 10:00AM - 11:00AM

Join us at 10:00 AM where Linda MowBray, President/CEO, will give a Congressional Briefing update, Cynthia Pendleton, Facility Standards VP, will review recent SNF survey findings, followed by Nurse Advisory Committee President, Michelle Novotny, to discuss Nursing Scholarships, hot topics, and the latest happenings.

STATEMENT OF KHCA/KCAL’s ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) POLICY

To foster an environment of candor and the open exchange of ideas, KHCA/KCAL prohibits the recording of meetings by attendees. This includes but is not limited to any use of artificial-intelligence tools or assistants that record and transcribe information. KHCA/KCAL has the right to immediately remove AI tools or assistants present on calls and placed by attendees.

Latest Survey Findings

Reflections

Microsoft Teams Need help?

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 274 231 049 930 4

Passcode: YQ7aF9Gy

Dial in by phone

+1 929-336-6311,,664184230# United States, New York City

Find a local number

Phone conference ID: 664 184 230#

AHCA Sees "A Better Way" Forward For Nursing Home Care As US Population Ages

Provider Magazine (6/1) reported that the US "has a growing elderly population." AHCA believes "there is A Better Way forward, and" the organization stands "ready to offer bold solutions" in nursing home care "that benefit all stakeholders." AHCA President and CEO Clif Porter said, "There is a better way forward where we not only sustain the high-quality care that our nation’s seniors deserve, but grow and transform it to meet the evolving demands of an aging population."

TUESDAY! FREE Webinar: Utilizing IDDSI’s Tools to Avoid Texture Modified Food Mistakes and Citations

6/17/25 - 1:00PM - 2:00PM

Click here for more details.

TUESDAY! Webinar: Managing Changes in Resident Condition

6/17/25 - 1:30PM - 2:30PM

Click here for more details.

KHCA/KCAL District 1 Round Table

Tuesday, July 8, 2025 from 10:30AM - 12:30PM in Shawnee, KS

KHCA/KCAL Board Members would like to invite you to the KHCA/KCAL District 1 Round Table hosted by Suzie Sexton, Brett Pu, Jeremy Whitt, Miles Nease, Fred Pitzel and KHCA/KCAL President and CEO Linda MowBray. (See image for counties included in this district.) We will discuss hot topics in your area and answer any questions that you might have. Come join us for some heavy appetizers and refreshments. Also, if you attend you can sign up to win one of the $50 gift cards or a $100 gift card.

Location:

Johnson County Library – Monticello

22435 W. 66^th St.

Shawnee, KS 66226

You do not have to be a KHCA/KCAL Member to attend and there is no cost.

RSVP:

If you plan to attend this meeting, please RSVP to the KHCA/KCAL office by emailing Teresa Keating (tkeating@khca.org). Please indicate your name, community and a phone number.

In Case You Missed It

Your Kansas Delegation at AHCA/NCAL Congressional Briefing: Advocating for Seniors in Long-Term Care on Capitol Hill

Earlier this week, long-term care professionals from Kansas traveled to Washington, D.C. to take part in the annual Congressional Briefing, hosted by the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL). Representing skilled nursing and assisted living communities across the state, the Kansas delegation joined peers from around the nation to speak directly with lawmakers about the critical issues facing our seniors and the dedicated caregivers who serve them.

Over two days, the Kansas team met with members of Congress and their staff, sharing real stories from the front lines of long-term care. From workforce shortages and Medicaid reimbursement challenges to regulatory reform and access to quality care, our member advocates brought forward the pressing needs of Kansas providers and the older adults who rely on them.

The Congressional Briefing wasn’t just about policy — it was about people. The Kansas delegation reminded lawmakers that behind every funding formula or staffing mandate is a resident, a caregiver, a family. These face-to-face conversations helped bridge the gap between federal decisions and local realities, and emphasized the need for continued support, flexibility, and investment in long-term care.

KHCA/KCAL is proud of the commitment and leadership shown by our members who represented Kansas with strength, clarity, and compassion. Advocacy doesn’t end with the trip to D.C. — it’s a year-round effort. Please invite your members of Congress and their staff to visit your communities. You have a story to tell right here in Kansas.

Together, we’re building a stronger voice for long-term care in Kansas and across the country.

FY26 rates are available

Click here for a link to the Kansas Register. Our rates start on page 21.

KDHE/DHCF Medicaid Training KanLearn Opportunities

Medicaid Training sessions from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Division of Health Care Finance (KDHE-DCHF) are now open to everyone through the KanLearn system.

Each course focuses on foundational topics related to Medicaid in Kansas. These trainings will help you excel in your job and provide better service to those we serve.

Computer Based Training (CBT) trainings are available immediately upon enrollment. READ MORE

Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing Program: June 2025 Confidential Feedback Reports

Download your June 2025 Quarterly Confidential Feedback Reports for the FY 2026 Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (SNF VBP) Program from iQIES.

These reports include facility-level measure results for 4 quality measures during FY 2024, the FY 2026 SNF VBP Program performance period:

SNF 30-Day All-Cause Readmission Measure
Skilled Nursing Facility Healthcare-Associated Infections Requiring Hospitalization
Total Nursing Staff Turnover
Total Nurse Staffing Hours per Resident Day

We’ll use these results for the FY 2026 SNF VBP Program year scoring and incentive payment calculations taking effect October 1, 2025. We’ll include performance scores and incentive payment multipliers for the FY 2026 SNF VBP Program year in the August 2025 Performance Score Reports.

Submit corrections requests for FY 2024 measure results until July 9. See Confidential Feedback Reporting & Review and Corrections for more information.

Questions?

Contact iqies@cms.hhs.gov about report access
Contact SNFVBPquestions@cms.hhs.gov about the program

Education Spotlight

Nurse Leadership Conference

June 25-26, 2025

Salina, KS

Members $219 | Non Members $269 until June 11th

This special Nurse Leadership Conference is an opportunity for nurses working in the Long-Term Care setting to strengthen their leadership and clinical skills. Building strong leaders through education is essential to promoting a better quality of life for our residents. Meet new vendor partners and spend time networking and getting to know others that are doing the same valuable work that you’re doing. A fun networking event is in place Downtown Salina. This will be a separate ticket event, so don’t forget to sign up. Let’s enjoy some time relaxing and learning from each other.

Click here to learn more.

Upcoming Education